#SHOWBIZ: Hafidz Roshdi grateful to have visitation rights to see kids

New Straits Times

30-04-2025

SHAH ALAM: Actor Hafidz Roshdi has expressed his gratitude and relief following the Shah Alam Syariah High Court's decision to grant him interim visitation rights to his two children.
"Praise be to God, the court has granted me visitation rights. God willing, I will have the opportunity to see my children at the end of May, during the school holidays," Hafidz told Harian Metro.
The court's interim ruling allows Hafidz full visitation rights until a final custody decision is reached at the next hearing.
"This is an interim decision, pending the determination of hadanah (custody). However, I am thankful for the chance to meet and spend time with my children," he said.
When asked about the possibility of traveling abroad if his ex-wife, Nurul Shuhada Mat Shukri, does not return with the children, Hafidz was adamant that it was not his responsibility.
"I will not be going there. That is certain. She is the one who must bring the children back here, as it is a court order," he said.
"The children's place of residence is here, and they should not have been taken overseas. Therefore, she needs to bring Umar and Humairah back and hand them over to me."
Addressing concerns that the visitation period might not align with school holidays abroad, Hafidz emphasised that the court's decision is based on the Malaysian school calendar.
"We adhere to Malaysia's school holidays, not those of other countries," he said.
Hafidz's lawyer, Datuk Akberdin Abdul Kader, strongly criticised Nurul Shuhada's actions, stating that taking the children abroad without the knowledge or consent of any party was legally invalid and a "unilateral" decision.
He emphasised that the hadanah case is ongoing, and all parties must respect the legal proceedings and comply with the court's orders within Malaysia's jurisdiction.
"This case is being heard in Malaysia, specifically in Selangor. Therefore, any order issued by the court must be obeyed here," Akberdin said.
"We will not pursue the matter overseas, as the jurisdiction is different. If she wishes to contest this or engage in further legal proceedings, she must bring the children back, as their place of origin is in Malaysia, and the case was filed here."
Akberdin added that taking the children abroad without informing the court or obtaining Hafidz's consent was inappropriate and unlawful.
"She made a unilateral decision. Therefore, we cannot recognise that action," he said.
Akberdin stressed that Nurul Shuhada must respect the ongoing legal process and refrain from making arbitrary decisions regarding the children.
"This case has not been concluded. Therefore, any decision regarding the children's status should be made after the trial is completed and not 'unilaterally'," he said.
The court granted Hafidz temporary visitation rights during the May school holidays, pending the final custody decision, which is scheduled for July 29.
It was previously reported that Hafidz deeply misses his children, Humairah, 8, and Umar, 5, whom he has not seen for over a year.
He revealed that his ex-wife had taken them to Australia without his knowledge or consent.
Hafidz and Nurul Shuhada were married on April 30, 2016, and divorced on July 27, 2023.